Wellnext LLC, a vertically-integrated developer, manufacturer, and marketer of dietary and nutritional supplements, announced the acquisition of NeoCell, a leading collagen supplement company, based in Irvine, California.

PNC Business Credit, a division of PNC Bank, N.A., and McLarty Capital Partners were the lead funding agents. Pepper Hamilton LLP served as Wellnext's legal advisor on the transaction.

For nearly two decades, NeoCell has specialized in collagen-based supplements for joint, bone, and muscle health using advanced formulas based on high quality ingredients such as collagen, biotin and hyaluronic acid. NeoCell is a leading collagen-brand across natural as well as traditional retailers nationwide.

"We are very excited to partner with Wellnext and gain the support of its operational and commercial capabilities to further expand NeoCell," said Sarah Quadri, NeoCell's Chief Operating Officer. "We are confident that Wellnext will provide unique manufacturing, product development, and market expansion capabilities to support NeoCell's next phase of growth."

NeoCell represents the fourth acquisition made by Wellnext in the last two years. "NeoCell complements Wellnext's portfolio of brands, expanding it into the fast-growing collagen category while diversifying the company's product category focus," Jose Minski, CEO of Wellnext, states. "We are excited to work with NeoCell's industry-leading products for beauty, bone and joint health."

Wellnext is a portfolio company owned by an affiliate of WM Partners, LP. WM Partners is a Ft. Lauderdale-based private equity firm focused on investing in middle-market companies in the health and wellness sector.